Fire and Alcohol and Oni! Oh, My!

We've arrived. Rayshift successful.

Actually, why Rayshift to this era now?

Even if the Singularity has been resolved, it's still a handful to prove your existence in that era...

Yes...I understand that.

Especially now, when we need to rest as much as we can before the decisive battle against the King of Mages.

I also wanted Master to get some rest back in Chaldea, but...

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Hahaha! Rest!? Like I'd let you rest! Cry! Cry while you tell me what a terrifying oni I am!

People should cry in terror every time they see an oni like me! There's no peace or rest when I'm around!

...But now that I think of it...

If I were you, every encounter I had with Shuten would only end up with memories of bitterness and agony.

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Hehehe. I see, I see. Yup, I think that a loerm... Never mind.

Anyway. The point is, Shuten is amazing. Her cruelty and evil are beyond any regular oni, and I need to follow that example!

Well, do it in moderation. So, Ibaraki, why'd you want to come here?

...It's not just to stop Master from resting, is it?

Hmph. Nope. There's somewhere I wanna go.

We've got a lot of walking to do. I hope you have your hiking shoes on.

...Actually, doesn't matter. If you get tired or slow me down, I'll just drag you along!

And then you'll scream and cry and tell me how cruel and awful I am! Heehee... Just watch, and be amazed!

It's really not a safe place for a stroll... So why do you want to go there?

...Something smells. I can't leave it be.

Smells...?

Eh, you'll see when we get there. I'll take the lead. Follow me.

...Ibaraki's hyped up. Let's just follow her, Master.

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A-as if! There's no such thing! Right? RIGHT!?

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WHAT!? Wh-where is it? Tell me! We're gonna stop by on our way! E-even if it's not on our way! WE WILL GO!

Hmmm... Just thinking about sweets makes my mouth water. Those are good. Such flavors are not possible within the oni realm.

And even I know how preciously rare they are. I know that I mustn't have more than one per day.

Butbutbut...! If candy grows on trees...it'll never run out! And I can eat as much as I want!!!

Kwahahaha! Master, yes! You've given me the best news of my life! Candy! Unliiimited caaandy!!!

？！

...

...

YOU MONSTER!!!

Hm. This is kinda homey. Reminds me of Mt. Ooe. Everything in these forests is evil.

And obviously I'd be the boss of all this. Not a lotta things out there as evil as a blood-crazed oni!

I'm just going to say again that I never expected we'd come across an actual oni.

I wasn't even sure we'd be able to communicate properly...

Not least because of how incredibly violent you were in Rashomon the first time we ran into you...

But since your Madness Enhancement seems to be mixed with your oni nature, you seem to be one of those Berserkers that can converse normally.

I'm glad we were able to get along, unexpected as that was.

An oni getting along with humans...

Cut the nonsense, onmyouji. I am an oni. That's a human. There's no getting along for us.

This human is...y-yeah...totally terrified of me!

The only relationship we have is the kind between a frightening tyrant and a whimpering, terrified kid!

？！

Yes, yes! I knew it! Of course it is!

That dull, warm gaze and your dumb face twitching in a terrified half-smile is all the proof I need!

And onmyouji... Just because I'm an oni doesn't mean you can look at me like a circus freak. I'll eat you.

I'm not an onmyouji. We're called doctors. And, well...sorry.

I see now that I was being insensitive. I'm sorry I upset you, Ibaraki.

Hmph. Whatever.

So are oni really that rare in this era? If you went to Mt. Ooe back in the day, there were tons around.

You mentioned that mountain earlier... Is that your homeland, Ibaraki-Douji?

Homeland? I guess you could call it that.

What kind of place was it? You said it was similar to here...

It's a mountain where the oni I led gathered. We even built a palace there.

An oni palace... Sounds incredible...

Hm. Without that, the oni would be no different than mere beasts.

I won't tell them to live like humans, but we need our pride. That's why we need food, clothes, and shelter.

...I guess thinking like that is what made me stand out from all the other oni.

But that's my problem. My time spent as an oni was glorious!

I led mighty oni troops and we rampaged through the capital in the Heian period. There was Kuma-Douji, Torakuma-Douji, Hoshiguma, Kanekuma...

And my bestest number one companion and loving blood sister...Shuten.

We raided and pillaged human cities all the time. When we were done, we went back to the mountain to rest.

And when we wanted more, we took it! Just thinking of all the fun we had makes my heart race!

I see. Your story is...disturbing, but it sounds like you were happy.

You rounded up a bunch of freewheeling oni and made them into a gang.

Oni are powerful, but alone they can be killed by a group of humans. That's why you decided to band together.

Yep, yep. No mean feat. You had the gift of foresight. Might even have been wasted on an oni, really.

...Not really. I just acted according to my mother's teachings.

The only one who kept to her own principles, lived in luxury, and ruled as an evil, cruel oni was Shuten.

Ah, Shuten-Douji. She is certainly extraordinary. Honestly, calling her an oni might be selling her short.

Hm? Speaking of which, where is she? She's not with you this time?

No need. I don't wanna bother her with this. ...This way. Let's get this over with before she wakes up.

Oh, okay. Let's go, Master.

Maybe it's my imagination...but I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this...

...Ah...ahhhhhh...

...What's that...!?

It reads almost like a Servant...or not? Is it some sort of remnant...?

...Ha. That scent... I smell it. Is it you?

You smell of oni, female warrior!

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My current form limits my ability to detect things a bit, but I'm sure you know very well yourself.

There was supposedly a Heroic Spirit who was summoned to this land and later defeated.

Judging from the state of the battlefield... I'd say there were flames. Flames like mine.

With flames intense enough to scorch your own body, you incinerated the enemies around you. ...I see that kind of intensity and desire. Am I wrong?

A female warrior...who died in Uruk? We did not meet her...

But I have some information on her.

A Servant named Tomoe Gozen sacrificed herself to defeat the Demonic Beasts' commander, Girtablilu.

Ah. So that means those are her charred remains.

Of course they are. I'm sure you know, but we oni are the epitome of sloppy.

Are you saying Tomoe Gozen was an oni!?

Based on her scent, not exactly. Maybe she was descended from oni.

Though I'm sure she has more direct lineage than that Fuuma kid.

Ah...ahhhhhh...! AHHHHHH!!!

She has no sense or will. Just mindless violence.

Or perhaps... She absorbed some power from that, umm... Girta...waffle? Maybe that's why she's losing control.

Not that I can blame her for losing her mind after being incinerated along with her enemy.

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Kwahahaha, in name only! It certainly doesn't SMELL delicious.

That thing's just an imitation oni. A writhing, burnt husk.

Ibaraki-Douji... You knew about this...?

No. I just wanted to get rid of the source of its stench before Shuten noticed it.

There was no way for me to recognize the smell.

Get rid of it...? If Tomoe Gozen is descended from oni, don't you feel some kinship with her?

Maybe if it was the real thing, but that's just a remnant. Looks like there's other stuff mixed in, too.

There's no need to question its existence. Human, what would you do in my place?

If the mostly dead remnants that smelled of your kind were mixed with other, unknown things...

If all they did was writhe around and lash out violently...

...what would you do?

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...I see.

When you put it that way, Ibaraki's approach seems...understandable.

I obviously do not know what an oni scent

Gu...ah...ahhh!!!

Well, I know it's something we can't just leave here.

Even if she was a great Servant who stopped the invasion of the Demonic Front and we are indebted to her...

...all this remnant does is pose a danger to an era about to be restored.

!

Oh no. It looks like you've got her attention! She doesn't seem at all friendly!

Kukuku... So you noticed my scent. Gonna try and eat me and make me a part of you, eh?

Well as a proper oni, lemme tell you: You're pitiful! Pathetic! Wretched!

Know your place. I'm the one who's gonna eat you! My name is Ibaraki-Douji!

I'm the leader of the oni of Mt. Ooe! The one who drowned the Heian capital in blood and terror!

Ibara...ki... Yes... You...returned... How wonderful...

...?

Please...laugh...at me... I'm lower...than an oni... I... I couldn't...acknowledge you...

I...stomped all over...Girtablilu's heart... He said I...was beautiful...

But... But I told him...that it was impossible... Impossible for an oni to...understand humans...

...Threat response...completely gone. Good work.

What the hell? Did she know me?

...Never mind. I knew it. It was neither fun nor delicious.

I'm just glad that it didn't cause trouble for Shuten.

Master... Look how sad she looks...

She's just standing there staring at the spot where the enemy fell...

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You're right. She talks big, but they were both oni. She probably has a lot on her mind.

...If only you were more than a remnant...

If you are truly descended from oni, come to Mt. Ooe. I am the leader of the oni. I will not refuse you.

Maybe, if I feel like it, I'd share a human liver with you... No...I wouldn't like that, but I'd share wonderful foreign sweets or two to you...

...Whew. Who knew there'd still be irregularities in an era even after we fixed the Singularity?

Maybe it's because of the concentration of magical energy in Uruk. But no matter what, you managed to take care of it. Come back with your heads held high

No.

...?

Huh?

I said "no," onmyouji.

I'm a doctor, not an onmyouji! Ugh, never mind that. Are you saying that you're not coming back yet?

Indeed.

There are other places to go. Accompany me, Master.

Refuse, and I'll drag you.

Eh? Poison? No thanks. You know, though...Shuten would even drink up poisoned alcohol if it involves THAT man.

Hm? What did you just say? Hey, what did you say??? I couldn't hear you! Say it again!

Bwahahaha! I knew it! I'm such a great oni, I even scare myself! Good! Cry more! Scream more!

Master... What a wonderful way to handle her. You really are kind!

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Well, I guess you did lead with your nose...? That helped us out.

If there's another place you need to go to, I'm sure you have your reasons.

I'd rather not think about it, but I can't guarantee there isn't another remnant like before.

Yes. Even with the Singularity resolved, we do not know for sure what would happen if we left it alone.

Besides...

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Ibaraki...has always been kind of charming, even cute...

Like when she butts heads with Raikou and Kintoki, or when she's getting bullied by Shuten, or when she's eating sweets.

But back there...when she acted like a proper leader of the oni... I was impressed.

Seeing that really cast her in a new light. I think I want to see more of this side of her. Or...something like that...

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Hey, what are you two babbling about? If we're going, let's get a move on!

Wow...

I'm not sure if this is from correcting the Singularity, or whether this is all thanks to the survivors...

But the city is very lively now!

Not quite so much as when you first arrived, but it is still impressive.

Glad to hear it. So is your next destination somewhere around here?

Yes, but we need to walk a bit more. Still...

Hm. What a lively city. If Shuten were here, she'd be thrilled.

Yes. Uruk is King Gilgamesh's city! I'm sure it's rowdy in a lot of ways.

Right. Being lively and bountiful is good. That makes the pillaging more fun!

...Um, Ibaraki?

I'm kidding. This isn't the Heian capital where I ran amok. Besides, I don't have Shuten nor my minions.

(...Does that mean she would run amok if they WERE here?)

A-anyway...

I see that you really do have strong feelings for Shuten. You mention her frequently.

I can tell you are always mindful of her.

Shuten and I spent a lot of time together, like siblings.

Among all the oni on Mt. Ooe, she was the only one I saw as an equal, not an underling.

And not just in terms of rank. I have a lot of respect for the way she lived her life.

Hm. Would you listen to my story in all seriousness?

In many of the stories about oni, Shuten-Douji is said to have been the leader of the oni in Mt. Ooe...

And there's a reason for that. Shuten was flashier, stronger, and more dangerous than all the rest of us.

Even when we attacked the capital, she was the one who stood out.

She seeks pleasure, after all.

She lived to drink, pillage, kill, eat... Just watching her was fascinating.

(For humans, I'm sure watching her was utterly horrifying...)

Anyway. We're almost there. This way.

Yes. But how come we're going through so many alleyways...

...Oh! We're in front of the ziggurat!

I can't believe this. The Sacred Temple watches over Uruk. There's no way ghost would be lurking around here.

Shut up. I smell something. This way.

It's hard for me to believe that a threat would be hiding under HIS watchful eye, in his kingdom...

...?

You guys have got it all wrong. What I'm looking for is the treasury.

...

Whaaa...!?

Don't make me say "shut up" again. I'll rip out your throat.

I thought this was just more of what we talked about earlier!

Like some sense of duty as the leader of the oni to clean up oni remnants... Something like that...

...? Isn't this exactly the sort of thing the leader of the oni should do? Oni loot and pillage.

B-but you just said you wouldn't attack this city...

Not the city itself, obviously. I wouldn't be able to do that on my own. But I never said I wouldn't steal some treasure.

Besides, I want to bring a souvenir back for Shuten.

We're talking about the king's treasury, so I'm sure there's some incredible treasure here that outshines whatever's in the Heian capital.

Wine Shuten would enjoy... A hairpin that would look good on her... A kimono that would accentuate her beauty...

And this is a grand treasure vault. Some super delicious sweets that I've never even imagined must be stored here as well.

...Th-those are totally a gift for Shuten! I just...need to taste-test them in case they're poisoned... Yeah...

Kuhahaha...

I wonder if I can carry them all out...?

I thought I smelled something unusual, so I came to see for myself. What a bold bunch of thieves.

He's here!!! Hm? But...

That's right, Doctor. King Gilgamesh is...

Wh-who's that?? Are you human? Or a ghost? A Servant!? Um...?

Fool! This is MY city, MY castle, and MY treasury!

Whether I am on my throne or in the underworld, OF COURSE I would come to see the mongrels who dare attempt to rob it.

It would be far stranger if I did not!

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A-anyway, allow us to explain ourselves, King of Heroes. There's a good rea

Silence! You have nothing to say that I need to hear! You all need to learn your place!

...Although, I did see what you did with Tomoe.

Because of that, I will excuse some of your behavior. You may wander my city. You may sneak into my palace...

...but I WILL NOT show an ounce of mercy to those who dare to raid my treasury!

This is beyond disrespect! This is treason! Anarchy! You will learn what it is to earn my wrath!

A golden man... Gah, so garish. And he's so intense... That's no ordinary man!

...Well, hm... He does seem kinda familiar... Or, well, he makes me a little fidgety.

It's this weird sort of discomfort...like when I need to sit down in front of Mother because I'm in for a scolding...

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I have not forgotten your desertion in the face of the enemy. That, also, is not excused by your good deed in ending Tomoe Gozen.

You may not technically be the one I summoned, but you shall take her punishment regardless.

Unnngh...unnngh... I don't know what you're talking about! I feel like I do, but I don't!

Just like Chaldea's Master, what you know or don't know does not matter!

I shall be the judge, jury, and executioner for your crimes in trying to steal from my treasury!

Brace yourselves, fools! If you want to live, fight with all your power, or suffer my wrath!

This...is no good! Let's hang in there as best we can, Master!

Fwahahahahaha! I'm just warming up! I shall even put on my armor for you!

Burn my regal, glorious presence into your minds!

Why you... This is why I hate golden guys! They're flashy, blinding, and they just piss me off!

You do know that your main color is gold, right?

It is in good taste! Mother picked it out! It doesn't just sparkle all the time like that thing!

You're quite tenacious for a mongrel. As a reward for your spirit, I will call it a day.

Rejoice. I shall show you the contents of the treasury that you so coveted.

Gate of Babylon!

This is the end! I have no other choice!

...Ibaraki-Douji!? Why are you covering me and Master

...!?

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Close your mouth tight or you'll bite your tongue!

It's no use. Even though Ibaraki-Douji could jump over the gate of Rashomon, a point-blank hit there will be fatal!

...There's...no attack!?

Could this be...Ibaraki-Douji's "Disengage" skill that lets her avoid or flee from enemy attacks?

The legend where she was the only one who managed to flee from Raikou's four oni-slayers... The legend of her escaping even after Watanabe-no-Tsuna took off her arm is

Shut up, onmyouji! How dare you mention that hateful Minamoto! It's making me wanna KILL!

I agree this is no time to be chatting! Doctor, please prepare for Rayshift!

Hmph. Mongrel.

Shall we go after them, King Gilgamesh?

No. Leave them be. She is only doing what is in her nature.

Never pursuing dignity or honor... She wouldn't hesitate to turn her back on all that mattered if it meant she would survive.

How ugly...how pitiful...how beautiful that is.

...I remember now. That's why I gave up on her. There was no point forcing her to be my dog. A beast will live and die as a beast. That is all it can do.

Yes, but...what about the crime of attempting to loot the king's treasury? Shall that be overlooked?

I told you: no more than a beast.

She was simply drawn to the scent of my treasures as a wild dog to meat. No more than a stray lurking near the front door.

There's no need to chase such a creature to its lair for the kill. Of course, should she return, I won't hesitate to crush her.

(Yawn) ...I am so booored...

Hm? Ibaraki. Welcome back. Where have you been?

...

???

I'm sorry, Shuten. I meant to bring back a souvenir for you... But I couldn't...

Well, I don't even know where you've been. Don't worry about it.

But more importantly, I was bored because you left me alone.

My sweetie wasn't here, and when I tried to pick on the brat, he ran away as usual.

And Raikou didn't even come and try to take my head off...

If you're talking about a souvenir, you coming back is the best present, Ibaraki.

!!!

I sense some large battle about to begin.

The best way to lighten the mood is drinking. Well, I drink all the time, but keep me company, Ibaraki.

Oh. Okay. Yeah... Okay.

...O-of course...!

So where were you all this time?

Ku... Kuhahaha. I may not have a souvenir, but I have stories to tell! Listen to all of my glorious feats!

I did what only a true oni could ever do! Master cried like a baby! The people trembled in fear...in the hundreds...no, thousands!

...? (Sniff, sniff) Hm, I smell an unfamiliar oni on you.

Don't tell me... You abandoned poor, lonely Shuten to go have fun with another oni?

How could you... I'm... I'm going to cry...

N-n-n-n-n-no! Absolutely not! It's not what you think! L-listen, Shuten! I can explain!

... (Sob, sob)

Sh-Shuteeeeeen!!!

(Ah, Ibaraki is truly the best entertainment to go along with my alcohol. I never get tired of her...)